Bracelet construction



sept. 30, 1930. A PERSON f 1,777,015

Banni-5T CONSTRUCTION Filed 'uarn 29, 1927 j /4 a @winmx s su;

Patented Sept. 30, 1930 j UNITED STATES :AXEL PERSONLOF ATTLEBOR,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 HARVEY OLAP & CO.,

OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A PARTNERSHIP BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Y`ApplicationAfled March 29,

This invention relates to bracelet construe-v tion and moreparticularlyto a bracelet connecting device or clasp. Y

One of the objects of the. invention is to provide a construction 0f theabove nature which is practical and efficient. Another object is toprovide a construction of the aboveV nature having a ldependable lock.Another Objectis to provide a yconstruction of the 'I0 above nature inwhich the freedom of action and flexibility `of the bracelet are notundulyA impaired by the connector construction. Another object is ltoprovide a construction of the above nature which is simple andstrong'.-V 15 Another object is to provide' a construction ofthe abovenature Which is neat and attractive in appearance.r Other objects Willbe in part obvious orin part pointed out hereinafter. l j f Theinvention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elernentsand` arrangementsof parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application-0f Which Will be' indicated in the `followingclaims.`

In the accompanying-drawing in lWhich isv shown one Aof the varlouspossible embodiments of this invention,V i VFigure lis a plan view lof abracelet shown somewhat diagrammatically f Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe middle portion of the bracelet shown in enlarged detail;

Figure 3 is a side-elevation of theparts shown in Figure2; y 'i f j'Figure 4Vis .a longitudinal sectiontaken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 isa plan vien/showing the clasp disconnected or opened; j

`Figure is a section taken along the line 6--6 of Figure 4, and j Figure7 is a section taken'alongthe lline -'ofFigurel.Y j.. j

Similar reference ,characters refer to). simi- Referring nowto'thedravving in` detail,V

there is shown inFigure l a bracelet''whichV4 is adapted for useinconnection With a Wrist watch or the like. The body of the braceletlet units are hinged together by the end 14b` lar `oarts throughout theseveralvievvs of the.V j

' l ure'4,so that units` may be taken frornor 17927. `serial No.179,310.

is made up of a series of-bracelet unitsor links l0 Which are connectedtogether as Will be described hereinafter, and at each end of thebracelet is shown a clasp or connectorv 1l for attachment to thewristWatch.V Adjacent the middle portionfof this braceletis a detachableconnector or clasp which is indicated generally by the numeral l2 inFig# lure l and which detachably connects togetherI thetwo braceletportions on either side there- 50 of. lWhen the bracelet is in usefitmay be YVplaced in position upon orremoved from-the `Wrist With thegreatest convenience by dis-` connecting the 'clasp l2,`.withoutrequiring, that the bracelet vends be disconnectedf`roin`V the WristWatch or otherdevice withrwhich it isused. Although this construction is'thus of particular-"advantage in a bracelet for Wrist Watches or thelikeyit is toV be understood that certain features of the invention maybe employed to great advantage invarious other types of bracelets. j, YReferring nov;r to Figure 45 'each'` of the bracelet unitslO comprisingthe body of the lbracelet consists of anouter box-like link memberlffand an inner linkmember` 14V which is slidable longitudinally'intheouter? link member. A spring'l' bearing against thejend Wall14f* oftheinner link'rme'mber andV against aV suitable abutment '13@ of the intothejouter link member thereof!k *',lfhje` outer link members havetopvvall's and dependingside Walls and, extending betvveenl `thesey side-Wall's adjacent one end there0f, isa transverse pin or pintle 16Whichis preferably `hollo\v,.as`shovvn. rlhe adjoining braceof the innerlink member hooking over the pin 16 of the adjoining unit.v Preferablythe connections between the adjoining units are made'detachable asbysplitting ythe bottom Wall of the inner linlnas shown at 17in Figaddedto the bracelet to vary its length.

` The'braceletfis thusextens'ible', thesliding inner link members 14vvpermitting a substan-Y .tial lincrease "in lthe length of vthe f'bracelet 190 when it is stretched out. Moreover, the bracelet isflexible and readily conforms to the contour of the wrist, therespective units thereof pivoting freely with respect to each otherabout the pins 16. These pins 16, in the embodiment shown, eXtendthrough the side walls of the outer link members and are headed overagainst the outer surfaces thereof.

Considering now more particularly the connector which has beendesignated generally by the numeral 12 in Figure 1, as is seen in Figure4, this connector is associated with a link member 18 which is ofslightly different construction than the bracelet units which form thebody of the bracelet. This link member 18 is a hollow member having atop wall 19, side walls and a bottom wall 21. lts size and general outercontour arepreferably substantially the same as those of the outerbox-like link members 13 of the bracelet units 10. Between the sidewalls 2 0 thereof adjacent the leftfhand end, as viewed in Figure. 4,extends a pin 22 which i is similar to the pins 16 and which is locatedtially as are the bracelet units 10 forming.

the body of the bracelet.

. Secured to the bracelet unit 10 which is at the end of the member 18remote from the pin 22, or at the right of the member 18, as:

viewed in FigureV 4, is a spring catch member 23, which enters themember 18 and detachfV vably springs into engagement therewith.

This spring member 23 is pivoted upon the pin 16 ofthe adjoininglinkmember 13.V It preferably comprises a .flat metal member bent uponitself to the contour shown in Fig-r ure 4, having a-lower part 23extending lalong the innerside of the bottom wall 21 member 18, the endedge 23 of the spring 23v snaps beneath adepending lip 19 (Figure .4)

at the right-hand end of the top wall 19 of the member 18, therebylocking the spring catch 23 within the member 18 and connecting thebracelet halves. The part 23" of the spring catch has formed thereon anupwardly projecting lug 28 which slides through a slot 29 in the wall19. By depressing the lug 28 and thereby springing the part 23bdownwardly so as to permit the edge 23c to clear the depending lip 16,the parts may be separated.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that there is provided aconnector or clasp for the bracelet which is very convenient to operate.The connection is made by simply sliding Vthe spring catch member 23Vinto the part 18, and the catch is released by a slight pressure uponthe lug 28 to depress the spring 23h. Moreover, it will be seen thatthis clasp `does not interfere with the flexibility of the bracelet. Thespring catch 23, swiveled upon the pin 16 of the adjoining right-handbracelet unit 10, forms a `hinged connection, and the left-hand end ofthe clasp member 18 ishinged to the adjoining bracelet unit also.The'side flanges 24 and 25 of the member 23 lit snugly within the sidewalls 2O of the member 18 and thus strengthen and reenforce theconnection.

As is best seen in Figures 2 and 3, exterior of the link member 18 is amember 30 which serves as a lock for this connector or clasp. Thismember 30 has atop wall 31 which, when tnfe lock is operative, restsagainst the top wall 19 of the member-18, and depending therefrom areside walls or-ianges `32 and 33` which embrace the 'sides of the member18. VThis lock member 30 is pivotally mounted upon the member 18 toswing into and out of operative position, and this pivotal mountingisvpreferably accomplished by theV end portion22a of the pin 22 lpassingthrough the depending flanges 32V and 33 adjacent the lefthand endsthereof, as viewed in the drawing. In lligurer 5 the lock 30 is swungupwardly to inoperative position,` `When it is operative, as shown inFigures 2-4, its right-hand end portion preferably overlaps the endportion of the adjoining bracelet unit 10. The metal of the side flanges32 and 33 is bent outwardly, as shown-,at 34 and 35Vrespectively, andthese portions snap over the projecting ends 16a of the pin 16, uponwhich the springl catch 23 is pivoted, to yieldingly hold the lock inoperative position.

1n the top wall 31 of the lock 30 is an opening 36 into which the lug 28of the spring catch projects. The part 31, thus embracing the lug 28,4positively. prevents the spring catch member23 from being drawn out ofthe link member 18 to disconnect the catch.

It will be seen that this construction is simple and very compact.Moreover, the locking member 30 does not interfere with the relativeswingingbetween the link member 1,8 and the adjoining bracelet unit, theprojecting end portions 16a of the pin 16 turning freely beneath theparts 34 and 35 of the lock as the hinging o'r relative swinging takesplace. In the mounting of the lock upon the link member 18 the same pinV22 is utilized tion. Y

which serves to pivotally connect the member lSand the adjoiningbracelet unit at the left or rear of the clasp.- TheEspriHging yofthe parts 34 and 35 over the projectingend por" tions of the pin 16dependably holdstheglock in operativeposition, but with slight eEortthelock maybe swung about the pin 22a to the inoperative position shownin Figuren, whereupon uthe lock 28 may be depressed to openthe clasp,y'av i c Y v l j g .Asmany` possible embodimentsmay be made :of thegaboveinvention, andas many 'changes mighty be madesin the embodiment member,a second bracelet member Vdetach-il ably connected to said firstbracelet member by said catch member, and a lock for said catch membercomprising a part mounted j upon said second braceletvmember formovement into and out of operative position and means thereon adaptedwhen operative to" embrace the ends of said pim 2. In braceletconstruction, in combination, a bracelet linkV member having adjacentoneend thereof a transverse pin for connection with an adjoining link, 'asecond link member ,adjoining said first link member' atthe end thereofremotefrom said pin, a spring catch member ldetachably connecting saidtwolink members, and a lock for said springfcatc-h Vpivotally mountedupon said pin for "swing-V ing movement into and vout of operative posi-8. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet link memberhaving adjacent one end thereof ,a transverse pm for-connection with anadjoining link, a second link member adjoining said'first link member atthe end. thereof remote from said pin, said second link member having atransverse'pin, a mein- :v ber mounted upon said pin of saidsecond linkmember and entering said first link meinber to detachably connect saidtwo linklmembers, and a locking member pivoted upon saidV j pin of saidfirst link member toswing into and :i out of operative position andVhaving. parts adapted when 'operative to overlap said second linkmember and embrace the ends of said pin thereof.

tendingbetweensaidsidewallsandhavingend portions projecting outwardlytherethrough, a second link member, means mounted upon said pin betweensaid side walls and projectj I ing into said second link, and means uponsaid second Vlink detachably engaging said projecting end portions ofsaid pin. j

5.v In bracelet construction, in combination, a pair of braceletmembers, means detachably connecting said members comprising a springcatch member pivoted upon one `of said .members'to vswing about an axisextending substantially'transversely thereof and entering and springinginto engagement with the Vother of` said members, and a lock for saidcatch comprisingamembermounted uponsaid I last braceletmemberformovementinto and out of operative position and adapted when operative-tooverlap said first bracelet mem-. ber, and means upon said firstbracelet member with which said lock member engages to yieldingly holdsaid lockV in operative .position, said means beingsubstantially in linewith saidaxis about which said spring catch is-pivoted to permit saidtwo |bracelet members to swingrelative to each other when said catch andsaid lock are operative. Y Y

6. yIn bracelet' construction, in 4combination, a link member having atop Wall `and sidewalls, a pin extending between said 'side wallsadjacent one end for connection with an adjoining link, the ends of saidpin projecting outwardly throughsaidside walls, a secondv linkmemberiadjoining saidfirst link member at the end thereof remotefroinisaid pin andhaving sidewalls, a pin extending (between saidsidewalls of said second link member and having end portions projectingoutwardly therethrough, a, spring catchmember p-ivot'edu'rpon said last.pin and projecting therefromA into said firstV link member and 1springing into engagement therewith, and a lock for saidcatchcomprisinga member pivoted upon the projecting ends ofv said pin of said firstlink member to. swinginto andI out offoperative position,- said lockmember hav-1 ing a, pair of parts which snapover the projeotingjends4offV said pin of saidsecond ,link member to yieldinglyhold said flockin operativepos1tionl`- i Y :7; VIn bracelet construction, incombination, a .bracelet memben having adjacent one end thereof a`transverse `pin adapted forl making connection with anadjoiningbracelet meini Y ber,'a second bracelet.A member adjoining said first.bracelet`-member at the end thereof remote from said. pin, saidlastbracelet member havingk a transverse pin, a member mounted -uponsaidpinof said last braceletmemberand entering saidffirstbracelet member toVdetach-Vv V -v ably connect said two ,bracelet `members, and

a. lockingA memberfpivoted .upon saidpin ofy Y said firstbracelet-'member and adapted-to 4. In bracelet construction, incombination, a linkmember having sidewalls, a pin exsw-ingthereon-into-andout of an operative position in'which it cooperates withsaid first connecting member. in connecting said two bracelet membersend thereof a transverse pin adapted for making connection with anadjoining link, a second link member at the end 0f said iirst linkmember remote from said pin, a spring catch member mounted upon one ofsaid link members and adapted to enter the other of said link membersand spring into engagement therewith, and a lock for said spring catchcomprising a member having a pair of spaced arms pivoted upon said pinand a part connecting said spaced arms, said spaced arms resting`enteriorlj7 oi" the sides of said first bracelet link and saidconnecting part resting exterior ofthe uppersurace t-hereoiiwhen saidlock is swung into operative position.

9. in bracelet construction, in combination, a braceiet link niemeerhaving adjacent one end thereof atransverse pin adapted for makingconnection with an adjoining link, a second link member at the end ofsaid iirst Yllink member remote from said pin, a spring catch memberdetachably connecting said two link members, and a lock for said springcatch comprising a member having a pair of spaced arms pivoted upon saidpin and a part connect-ing said spaced arms, said spaced'arms restingexterior of the sides oit said first bracelet link and said connectingpart resting eX- terior of the upper surface thereofl when said lock isswung into operative position, said spring catch member and said toppart ot said lock having a projection and recess which cooperate inlocking the twobracelet link members together when said lock is inoperative position. j

10. In bracelet construction, Vin combination, 'a link member having atop wall and side walls, a pin extending between said side wallsadjacent one endA for connection with an adjoining link, Vthe ends'ofsaid pin projecting outwardly through said side walls, a second linkmember adjoining said first link member at the end thereof remote fromsaid pin and having side walls, a pin extending between said side wallsof said second linkmember and having end portions projecting outwardlytherethrough, a spring catch member pivoted upon Vsaid last pin andprojecting therefrom into said 'first link member and springing into'engagement therewitlnand a lock for said catch comprising a member pivoted upon the projecting ends oi said pin of said iirst link member tosivinginto and out ot operative position, said lock member having a pairof side parts whichsnap over the projecting ends oi' said pin of saidsecond link member to vieldinglf,T hold said lock in operative position,and having a port-ion connecting said side parts which rest against thetop wall of said first link member, said con-f necting part and saidspring catch member having a projection and recess whichcooperate tolock said spring catch member against removal from operative position.

11; 1n bracelet'construction, in combination,\apair of adjacentbraceletmembers, a

spring catch detachably connecting said bracelet members together,pivotal means mounting said catch upon one of said members, andproviding projecting means upon the sides of said one member, a lock forsaid catch comprising a member mounted upon the other of said membersfor movement into and out of operative position and adapted whenoperative to embrace the sides of said one bracelet member, and meansprovided upon said'lock member adapted to snap over said projectingmeans yieldingly `to hold said lock member in operative position.

In testimony whereof, 1 have signed my name to this specification this19th day of March A. D. '1927.`

AXEL PERSON.

